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“You say that like you don’t think it will last.”
Staci was quiet. “Do you think it will?”
Reese’s heart felt tight. She had. That was the really, terribly stupid thing. She was the one who had told Sterling that they were moving fast. But that was halfway because she knew her own feelings. They were much more than girlfriend feelings. Despite not wanting to let her romantic heart carry her away, she had thought about things like wedding dresses and future homes and babies. Even if just briefly. Even if she knew it was too soon. She had thought about it and she wanted it.
“This might sound impractical or silly or a hundred other things, but I want it to last.”
When Staci spoke again, she was using her office voice. The one she used in planning meetings or when talking to clients about strategy. “In that case, we need to talk about a few things.”
“Make it fast because he’s about to show up to take me to dinner.”
“Fine. One: Kevin is going to fire you if he finds out. I know you don’t like your job, but if you want to transition out, that might also put a wrench in your plans. So, have an exit strategy.”
“I’ll work on it,” Reese said, smiling. She had thought about this too but had been pushing it out of her mind instead of seeing the situation as Staci just helped her to: as a challenge she needed to solve.
“Two: Before you fall too hard, make sure he has the kind of character you want.”
“Staci—” Reese started to interrupt and defend Sterling, but Staci kept going.
“Hear me out. I know he has the kind of charisma that packs stadiums. I can’t even imagine how powerful that would be on a one-to-one level. But what is he really like beyond that? You go to church every week—barring cross-country tours—and I know that for you, God is huge. That faith guides your decisions. Do you know what guides his?”
Reese didn’t have anything to say here and felt a sharp twist of guilt. Staci was right—normally she would have picked from the dating pool at church. But those guys had proven to have less than stellar character as well. She wanted a man who loved her and loved God. Sterling seemed to have the first down, but she knew nothing about the second.
“And I know I sound like a cliché TV-movie Christian here, but take this as a real question: have you prayed about it?”
Reese stayed quiet for a moment, thinking back to the last time she had prayed about anything. Sure, here and there she tossed up some silent prayers, but she hadn’t actually set aside time to give thanks or to ask for things or just to be reminded of who God was by being in his presence. It wasn’t just the tour either—this was a much longer-standing problem.
“No, I really haven’t. I think I’ve just been rolling along with the tour and with Sterling and where things are just going.”
“Well, that doesn’t mean he isn’t the guy for you. But maybe it’s time to take some responsibility in these decisions. Or to make sure you’re letting God take the lead.”
“I’m scared,” Reese said in a quiet voice.
“Girl, why?”
“I feel like … I have something good and so God’s going to take it.”
For a moment, Staci was quiet. And then she was using her almost-yelling-preaching kind of voice that Reese had only heard her use at church. “You know that I am not a prosperity-gospel, God-just-gives-you-good-stuff kind of believer. But we serve a good God, a God who loves you. He wants what’s best for you and he does want blessings for you. Do not for a moment believe that because you haven’t prayed enough or any other reason that he would withhold good things from you. You are his precious child. Know that if he takes this from you, it is only to give you something better.”
Reese smiled through tears brimming in her eyes. She sniffed. “Preach.”
“I will. But do not ruin your makeup. Trust and believe and ask. Be ready for his answer, whether it’s what you want or not.”
There was a knocking at the suite door. Reese felt a rush of excitement, but it was now tempered with hesitation. “Just a minute!” she called. “Staci, he’s here. Thank you. I needed to hear this. All of it.”
“Just so you know, I’m gonna be right here in my car praying for you. Let me know how it goes.”
Reese smiled. “Thank you. Call you later.”
Taking a breath, Reese went to the door. When she pulled it open, the sight of Sterling in a button-down gray shirt and black slacks made her pull in her breath. She’d never seen him in something so formal, other than some photos online from award shows.
“This is a great look on you,” she said.
“I wish I had gotten to compliment you first, but you literally stole my breath,” Sterling said.
They stood there for a moment, grinning like idiots, and then Reese suddenly thought of Staci, praying in her car. “Come in for a sec? I’m not quite ready.”
Sterling drank her in appreciatively, but not in a way that made her feel like a piece of meat. The difference was subtle, but hugely important. He made her feel attractive, but not disrespected.
